This is my first post, I was directed here by a Reddit user as the new MP sub is mostly barren. I’m hoping to stir up some discussion about field carry pencils/lead holders.
I’m a sheet metal journeyman, and spend a lot of my time at work measuring and drawing up duct systems and various sheet metal designs in the field. For years I’ve used gel pens, but much prefer a pencil, so I just purchased my first “nice” lead holder… a Kaweco Special 2.0 Brass. I wanted something solid that could hold up to abuse, and this seems to fit the bill. However, now I’m looking at various options for pointers, erasers, and holsters/carriers for my supplies. I’ve found a multi-tool pocket pouch that looks like it has enough storage, and still fit in my front shirt pocket.
I’m also picking up some Tombow Mono Zero erasers, but the one thing I’m having trouble deciding on is a pointer. I really like the Ohto Brass pointer, but it looks like a lot of them are shipping with empty brass tubes, so I’m a bit wary. I just want something that is both easy to carry and keep up with… a tiny pointer won’t do me any good if I lose it.
So, anyone else work in the field and use a lead holder? If so, what’s in your everyday carry?
Thanks in advance, I really appreciate anyone taking the time to share your experiences.
Well, not a fieldworker by any stretch but I have 2 portable pointers / sharpeners. If you like a relatively sharp point, the Uni DPS6001P does it quite well. It has a swing ‘lid’ that keeps the dust in, and the bottom opens to dump the contents, and also to extract the blade if necessary. If a more conical point is preferred, the Kitaboshi OTP-150SP does that nicely. Both are pretty compact and should fit in your zipper compartment.
My two cents: I second @drifand 's advice about the Uni (here, for instance); I do not own the Kita-Boshi (here, for instance), but it seems a nice piece. Also, this from KUM for pencils as well.
If the dispersion of lead debris is not your main concern, however, I’d suggest trying a Faber-Castell Minfix in fair condition (see e.g. here), which can produce far superior points. There are, similarly, some vintage lead pointers in full metal — by Dahle, for instance — but those require searching.
Another versatile model is the Minofix by M+R, for both 2.00mm and 3.15mm lead cores, which I recommend as a sturdy and reliable instrument.
I also am a sheet metal journeyman. Welcome!
I hope to see more of you.
Yellow Pentel P209 0.9mm is what was shown to me as THE pencil to carry because it’s fine enough for sketching fittings but also thick enough to lay out onto walls and concrete flooring without breaking lead constantly. It’s also a rugged pencil itself.
Pencil can be painted over when used to write on drywall but pen cannot. You should always use a pencil when writing on drywall.
It’s this pencil that introduced me into collecting pencils and kick started my love of mechanical pencils.
I highly recommend you use a Pentel P209.
Maybe a discussion can be had, but as far as I’m concerned, I will ALWAYS recommend and use a P209.
I found boxes of them for $15 a piece on eBay and I have enough for the rest of my life.
If you’re looking for something to fill a slot in your pouch since you now have the pencil question answered…
Knipex Cobra XS water pump pliers are essential. You can tighten the nut on your all thread hangers and on your carriage bolts in tight spaces and really just use them for anything!
Find them anywhere you can get them the cheapest and you WILL NOT regret it.
Also if you don’t have a Durodyne 9/16 ratchet drift pin, get one of those too!
Oh sweet, thanks for the heads up on these! I’ll definitely be picking up those pliers next payday, they seem super useful. I’m still rocking my Mayhew 1/4" drift punch from when I first started, but having a 9/16 ratchet on tap is hard to pass up.
Most of my work is in industrial facilities, currently on a HVAC bad actors project for ExxonMobil. Thankfully, I’m at a point in my career that I’m doing more of the planning, coordinating, and problem solving than grunt work, though I’m still on my tools when needed.
I appreciate your insight, I’m always happy to learn new things from old hats!
Ha! I probably have a half dozen various ductulators in my work truck right now. Definitely an essential tool!
To update my original post, I ended up grabbing the Mobius & Rupert Minofix, and took a gamble on the Ohto Brass pointer. The Ohto DID include the sharpener insert, which was a relief.
First impressions are: the M&R makes a much finer point, though the Ohto does a pretty decent job as well. Points go to the Ohto for catching graphite dust, and it’s light weight (though that could be considered a pro or a con). The Minofix is quite hefty, and feels much more substantial… though I’ll have to wait until my pocket organizer comes in to decide how it will carry. I already know that the Ohto will carry nicely, though I suspect it could get damaged easily. I’ll report back with pics once my organizer arrives.
Thanks again to everyone who’s replied, I really appreciate all the advice!
I wanted to wait a bit before posting to see how everything carried, but I’m quite pleased with this setup.
The pocket organizer is a perfect fit for my front shirt pocket, and able to carry all my drawing and layout tools. I always empty my pockets into my hat at the end of the work day, and it’s great having everything together… less chance of things falling out overnight and being left at home (especially on mornings when I’m struggling to get out the door on time).
It looks and feels very well made and designed… no loose threads or errant stitching to be found, and the materials seem high quality and durable. My only critique is: I wish they’d have sewn a leather reinforcement strip on the bottom of the front pockets, to protect from pointy bits poking through the canvas. I’ll have to keep a watchful eye on that, and hope I don’t end up with any holes.
I’ve attached some photos to give you an idea of how everything fits. It’s pretty much maxed out, but not to the point of straining the materials at all. I’ll just have to wait and see how it wears in, and holds up to everyday carry in the field.
Hey @FlashHercules , what is the shiny piece on the right of the Mono eraser? A punching pricker/needle? A metal scriber? Some other type of special tool?
It’s just a pencil style metal scribe, with a tungsten tip. It’s super useful in the field, ex: laying out transitions or offsets from flat sheet or straight duct in wet conditions.
